Clara Hughes' gift a real boost for kids’ program
Speed-skating dynamo Clara Hughes gave an alternative school program more than just money last week when she handed over her cash bonus from winning a bronze medal during the 2010 Winter Olympics. She also gave Take A Hike a profile that has brought many other offers of help.
“It’s been a bit overwhelming — but in a positive way,” program executive director Michelle Berry said Wednesday, recalling the many messages of support and other financial promises that landed in the days after Hughes shone a spotlight on the low-profile program with her $10,000 donation to the Take a Hike Foundation. “We are so honoured that she’s chosen us.”
On Wednesday, Hughes met privately with the 40 Take A Hike students at their east-side home school, John Oliver secondary, to talk about life and the Olympics and what propelled a troubled Winnipeg teenager to become an elite athlete with six Olympic medals for speed skating and cycling. Her latest bronze medal, from the 5,000-metre race, will be her last because the 37-year-old Quebec resident is retiring from elite athletics.
The program was designed to help teenagers who have drug and alcohol addictions, low self-esteem, a history of abuse and/or unstable homes through adventure-based learning that includes hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing and multi-day excursions. They also receive counselling and are expected to do volunteer work in the community.
Hughes is an inspiration for the students, Berry said.
After their hour-long chat, Hughes and the students went for a skate at the Sunset Ice Rink near the school and she later joined Berry and other members of the foundation for lunch. While the Olympian offered no advice on how the money should be spent, Berry said the foundation intends to direct it towards adventure-based learning, because that is what Hughes found compelling.
Earlier, when Hughes announced plans to donate her winnings, she said she had read Take a Hike’s website and felt like she was reading about herself.
“I was one of your students,” she wrote in an e-mail to teacher Nick Boulding. “That could have been me.”
Although the program began in 2000, it has not had much publicity over the years and volunteers work hard to raise the $275,000 a year needed to pay for the outdoor adventures, two therapists and a meal program. “We’re not swimming in money,” Berry said.
But fundraising might be easier this year, thanks to Hughes. Immediately after she donated her money, her sponsor, Bell Canada, agreed to match the amount, and that was followed by others pledging $250, $500 and $5,000 in her honour.
The foundation also heard from people interested in volunteering or enrolling a child in the program. One caller asked if the program could be expanded to other parts of the province. “It’s been quite exciting,” Berry said. “We’ve always been under the radar.”
Hughes won two cycling bronze medals in the 1996 Summer Olympics and also medalled in the 2002, 2006 and Vancouver Winter Games.
jsteffenhagen@vancouversun.com
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